Going to visit primary schools

[NineYearsOfNappies]

Hi,
Background - DD (3) is physically disabled (paraplegic). She goes to m/stream preschool and has classes (hydro, speech, etc) at local special school too. Trying to decide where she should go once she hits school age. No special schools for purely physical disabilities locally, no way is she going to boarding school, options are continue the split placement with special school (except she has MLD and it's an SLD school or throw her into mainstream and hope she doesn't drown. She has a statement.

anyone been there done that? what am I looking out for? I know it's early to be looking at infants (she'd be starting Sept 09), but if the school's going to need adapting then probably not too early?

no- it's definetly not too early to look around, personally i would start now
as come sept your dd should have her annual review which will be called a 'trasitional review' as she is changing into a school setting
1.please do make sure your statement is worth the paper it is written on- do not let the lea fob you off with anything...please check with an independent organisation(www.ipsea)(not your local parent partnership)when you have the proposed statement and go through it with a fine tooth comb
2.find a few schools that you like and that you think will help your daughter(visit without your child first) and arrange to see the head and the school senco and discuss your childs needs with them
(best to take a friend with you for moral support/note taking and have a list of questions ready)

Good luck and check out all previous threads on mn as it's a minefield of worthwhile advice

Can carry on with m/s preschool but there's no follow on school for it. Most of the children from it go to a m/s school which is local but terribly academic and results focussed, I really don't think that's what dd needs. The rest of the children go on to a friendlier school but miles away. She's going to be the only wheelchair user in the school whichever we choose.